How to Choose a Pet Transport Company: What to Ask Before You Book
Choosing a pet transport company is one of the most important decisions you make in an international move. A good operator coordinates every step – documentation, airline booking, crate supply, vet liaison, import permits, and delivery at the other end. A poor one takes your money and leaves you dealing with problems alone at customs.
Here is how to tell the difference.
The IPATA Standard
IPATA (the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association) is the main professional body for pet relocation specialists. IPATA members agree to a code of ethics, carry appropriate insurance, and have demonstrated experience in international live animal transport.
Membership alone does not guarantee quality, but it is a meaningful baseline filter. A company that is not an IPATA member and cannot explain why should give you pause.
Ask directly: “Are you an IPATA member?” If yes, you can verify membership at ipata.com. If no, ask what professional association they belong to and what standards they meet.
What to Ask Any Pet Transport Company
About their experience:
- How many shipments have you done on this specific route (your origin to your destination)?
- Have you handled this breed before?
- Do you have contacts at the destination airport’s quarantine station?
About the process:
- What documentation will I be responsible for and what will you handle?
- How do you book the airline cargo space and which carriers do you prefer for this route?
- What happens if the flight is cancelled or my pet is offloaded?
- Will my pet be in a climate-controlled facility if there is a transit stop?
About costs:
- Is your quote all-inclusive (documentation, airline fees, ground transport, quarantine if applicable)?
- Are there any costs not included in this quote?
- What is your payment and cancellation policy?
About communication:
- Who is my point of contact throughout the process?
- Will I receive updates when my pet is checked in, when the flight departs, and when my pet has cleared customs?
Red Flags
- Vague or evasive answers about documentation responsibilities
- A quote that seems unusually low (often means airline fees, import permits, or vet costs are not included)
- No fixed point of contact or the same person handles everything across different time zones
- Unwilling to provide references from past clients on your route
- No mention of IATA compliance for crates
Comparing Quotes
Pet transport quotes vary widely because the costs involved are route-specific. A like-for-like comparison needs:
- The same airline (or equivalent quality carrier)
- All documentation costs included
- Ground transport at origin and destination included
- Quarantine costs included where applicable
A very cheap quote that excludes airline fees is not comparable to an all-inclusive quote. Ask for a full cost breakdown.
The Role of Your Own Vet
A good pet transport company works with your vet, not around them. They provide your vet with the correct health certificate template for your destination country and give the vet the correct timeline for treatments and endorsements.
If a company tells you the vet just needs to sign something and it does not matter what, walk away. The health certificate content and timing are critically important for many destination countries.